Zambia's smallest national park is best known for its small mammals - bats - which make up the largest mammal migration in the world.

Kasanka is by far the smallest of Zambia’s National Parks at just 390 km²and doesn’t often register as one of the ‘go-to’ places for many visitors when planning trips to Zambia. On a general level this isn’t a huge surprise as, despite there being over 110 mammal species recorded in the park, there are few of the ‘headline’ animals here, with leopard being the main predator and some scattered elephant herds. A tailor made Kasanka safari isn't about big game.

Indeed, it seems fitting that as a small park, Kasanka is best known for its small mammals, albeit ones that descend on the park in such huge numbers as to constitute the largest mammal migration anywhere on earth. Starting in late October each year, fruit bats make their way to the park, drawn by the ripening of waterberries and wild luquot, with between 8 and 10 million bats estimated to make the journey each year. Apparently they consume around 330,000 tons of fruit before leaving Kasanka in the middle of December. A small handful of Kasanka Bat Migration Tours make their way to the park to see this incredible natural phenomenon, staying at one of the two permanent lodges within the park. Owing to the scarcity of resources, these trips come fully equipped with everything you could need and are accompanied by expert guides, so they are an incredibly rewarding experience.

The majority of trips up here tend to be these set departure options, however, for anyone looking to really get off the beaten track and enjoy a truly wild experience then we can arrange independent safaris up here as well.